The A380, which can carry 555 passengers, will be the world’s biggest passenger plane when it enters service.

Emirates will get its first jet in April 2007 rather than October 2006, because of the delay for “technical reasons,” Simon said. “Obviously, we’re not too happy as we’ve had to change our scheduling program.”

Qantas, Australia’s biggest airline, already has said it will seek damages from Airbus for the delay.

Singapore Airlines, which will be the first to fly the A380, may do likewise, Chief Executive Chew Choon Seng said June 1.